Architecture and Fashion are two creative industries that share a distinct relationship to influence each other. The creative design skills learned in architecture majors can be put to use in other fields expanding their job realm to other design industries. The fashion industry is one such where familiar architects got their hands on for a quick commute to try something new. The synergy between architecture and fashion is perfect and many fashion designers studied architecture before switching to fashion. Extending the designs from Buildings to humans is an art that not everyone gets to ace.
Fashion designs influenced by Architecture:
Many fashion collections have been inspired by the lines of architecture. Some of them are listed below:
1. Dolce & Gabbana Spring/Summer 2012 Collections
It was inspired by the Architecture of Cathedral Notre-Dame De Reims in France. It was merely the mosaic art of cathedral pattern knit in a wearable form.
2. Balenciaga Spring 2008 Collection
The Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Spain designed by the architect Frank Gehry was the foremost inspiration for this fashion collection. The asymmetric patterns on the shiny silver facade were creased in the attires.
3. Paco Rabanne Fall 2013
Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Spain also inspired this collection with the patterns followed on its curvy facade.
4. Gareth Pugh Spring 2009
Hearst Building by Sir Norman Foster that stands tall in New York with the rhombic glazed facade inspired the collection with geometry as the fashion pick.
5. Chloé Spring/Summer Collections 2018
The intricate patterns in Islamic architecture were embellished in this fashion collection.
6. Milly Spring/Summer 2016
Heydar Aliyev Center by Zaha Hadid in Baku with its classic space frame sigmoid facade inspired the clothing collection.
7. Guy Laroche 2014
The staggered patterns are inspired by Beekman Tower situated in NY, which was designed by architect Frank Gehry.
8. Laura Biagiotti Spring 2012
The patterns on the sheer fashion collection took notes from the Leaning Tower of Pisa in Tuscany, Italy.
9. Dior Haute Couture Fall 2014
The florals inscribed on the interiors of Esterhazy Palace in Hungary were an instigation to replicate them on clothing.
Architects in the Fashion Industry:
1. Zaha Hadid 2012
The fashion collection by architect Zaha Hadid herself was a noteworthy show and is the most relatable to this article. This collection was inspired by her architecture design ThyssenKrupp headquarters in Berlin.
Zaha Hadid and Fashion
Zaha Hadid also reigned in the Fashion Industry and held prevalence for designing shoes, handbags, and jewelry in collaboration with familiar brands. She is the only architect who has contributed most to the Fashion industry. Some of her well-known works in fashion are listed below:
1. Celeste couture necklace
The effortlessly gliding necklace along the collarbone was a statement of class. The organic lines that follow the contours of one’s body and fluidity is a common design style she followed in jewelry designs.
2. Lacoste shoes
The leather strap shoes that wrap around the legs helically and organic patterns are etched on them.
3. Melissa Plastic Shoes
The collaboration with shoe brand Melissa let Hadid design shoes in a fluid organic contour of body-inspired style using digital technology.
4. Louis Vuitton Bucket Bag
The molded plastic bag designed by Hadid had engraved the Louis Vuitton monogram pattern in different depths with a curvy shoulder strap.
5. Frank Gehry
Another familiar architect who gave the best shot at Fashion was Frank Gehry. He is renowned for his deconstructivist style where the flowing lines take predominance and design elements to seem to be fragmented. Some of his fashion works are mentioned in the following:
6. Lady Gaga’s 12 collection
He designed a hat for Lady Gaga on similar pages to his architectural design of Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Spain
7. Tiffany & Co. Jewelry Collection
Six separate collections were designed in this collaboration. Some of the renowned designs namely – Torque, Fish, Orchard, and Fold. Each of them was distinct with its concept.
8. Twisted box handbag
This handbag of Louis Vuitton bore simplicity and minimalism in complete contrast to his architecture style and received more criticism.
9. Rem Koolhaas
Rem Koolhaas is a Dutch architect known for his modern and deconstructivist styles. Rem Koolhaas and the Italian luxury brand’s creative head, Miuccia Prada have been collaborating for over 20 years. The launch of the Prada FW Menswear 2021 Collection by Miuccia Prada and Raf Simons allowed the architect to design a space for the show. Four rooms were designed and connected in a loop for the models to circulate showcasing the attire. It was a theme to provoke senses. Hence the material and forms were intertwined to achieve the same. The result described how Fashion and architecture could go hand-in-hand.
